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The Road to Guantanamo

Play trailer Poster for The Road to Guantanamo R 2006 1h 35m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 98 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In September 2001 several British Muslim friends go to Pakistan to attend a wedding. They decide to visit Afghanistan, but they find Kandahar under attack and flee to Kabul. From there the friends try to return to Pakistan but mistakenly end up in a Taliban stronghold. Following their capture, they are sent to a U.S. military base in Cuba, where they endure torture.
The Road to Guantanamo

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A gut-wrenching and riveting docu-drama that serves as a stinging indictment of U.S. military justice in an era of ever-increasing scrutiny.

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Critics Reviews

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Paul Arthur Film Comment Magazine Mar 28, 2018
Winterbottom sidesteps obligations associated with documentary filmmaking in favor of blazing agitprop. Go to Full Review Andrew O'Hehir Salon.com Oct 7, 2006
The Road to Guantánamo will drive you crazy, if you aren't crazy yet. Go to Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times Jul 7, 2006
3.5/4
It makes its point in a way that a straight documentary could not. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Sep 20, 2022
B
You can argue with the movie’s approach and thesis, but undeniably it etches a Kafka-esque nightmare for us and taps into our fear of being imprisoned and treated like animals for something we haven’t done. Go to Full Review Alberto Abuín Espinof Jun 28, 2019
A very good movie that was initially made for television. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Jonathan Raban The New York Review of Books Aug 21, 2018
Grueling as it is to watch, and it's the most protracted ninety-minute movie I've ever seen, it is packed with sly insights into Bush's "long war," hitherto known as the global war on terror. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Glafira Regina O @Glafira_Regina Jun 4, 2026 One has to be ready for the specificity of 2000s films, yet what I was (not) surprised to see is the cruelty, stubbornness, and irrational behaviour of American soldiers just because they have the power to brag about it. A refreshing view of the 'land of the free'. See more Jace T @CineChamber Aug 29, 2025 I had this film on my watchlist for Riz Ahmed as I enjoy him as an actor, but the story of this movie really sunk in and grabbed me. It is sickening that this is mostly a true story, and that the 'Tipton Three' had to go through these experiences. It disgusts me that Guantanamo Bay and places like it still exist in this world. I highly recommend this film even though some of the footage between the historical footage, and recreated footage can feel very disjointed. See more nilufer e @Nilicim May 17, 2025 Interesting story but boring for me. Looking at the poster with the orange outfits and the googles I thought I was going to watch a radiation themed sci-fi. What a surprise.. See more Gareth v @geewah Jun 20, 2023 This part doco, part dramatisation is a compelling story about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. See more Jun 23, 2014 heart-wrenching story of the illegal and sensless detention of 3 british boys of pakistani origin... makes you wish this world was a fairer place!! See more Jan 2, 2014 2.3/5 Con una temática como ésta, uno espera que el docu-drama sea un poco más desarrollado, complejo, controversial, pero realmente termina siendo blando y repetitivo, las escenas no transmiten como deberian los horrores que vivieron estos hombres, le falta "punch" a la crítica al sistema militar de los Estados Unidos, y, al final, realmente es muy olvidable y decepcionante. Una excelente historia, pero una ejecución demasiada floja y nada reflexiva. See more Read all reviews
The Road to Guantanamo

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Winterbottom

Director

Mat Whitecross

Director

Riz Ahmed

Shafiq

Farhad Harun

Ruhel

Waqar Siddiqui

Monir

Afran Usman

Asif

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The Road to Guantanamo

A scene from the film "The Road to Guantanamo." A scene from the film "The Road to Guantanamo." A scene from the film "The Road to Guantanamo." A scene from the film "The Road to Guantanamo." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In September 2001 several British Muslim friends go to Pakistan to attend a wedding. They decide to visit Afghanistan, but they find Kandahar under attack and flee to Kabul. From there the friends try to return to Pakistan but mistakenly end up in a Taliban stronghold. Following their capture, they are sent to a U.S. military base in Cuba, where they endure torture.
Director
Michael Winterbottom, Mat Whitecross
Producer
Andrew Eaton, Melissa Parmenter
Production Co
FilmFour, Revolution Films
Rating
R (Language|Disturbing Violent Content)
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
Arabic
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 23, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 18, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$316.7K
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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